68 
NATURAL HISTORY 
WATER RAT. 
The Water Rat is a little animal about 
the size of a common Rat, but in its nature 
and habits it is more like the otter than the 
Rat,. Like the otter, it frequents the fresh 
waters, and is generally found on the borders 
of rivers, rivulets, and ponds. Like that 
creature, too, it seldom iecds but upon fish, 
or the spawn of fish, though sometimes it 
eats frogs, water insects, and even roots and 
herbs. This animal is not web-footed ; but, 
though every toe of its feet is separated, it 
swims with ease, keeps itself a long time 
above water, and thence carries oft’ its prey. 
The head of the Water Rat is shorter, 
the nose broader, the hair more erect, and the 
tail much longer than that of the Land Rat. 
Their flesh is not absolutely bad ; and, in 
Catholic countries, the peasants eat it during 
Lent. 
